Whatcom Community College’s Honors Program gives students the opportunity to explore a topic in greater depth while working with other students and faculty as a member of a learning community. Students will explore the topic from an interdisciplinary perspective, comparing the approaches that researchers take in distinct disciplines. Students who complete the Honors program will have the completion documented on their official transcript at the time a degree is awarded.

The theme for 2026 Honors Seminars is Climate Change. WCC is offering two honors seminars during Spring Quarter 2026. Students who are interested in completing the Honors Program are encouraged to register for both seminars. The seminars will conclude with a joint, interdisciplinary project that is solutions oriented.

• PHIL 132: Environmental Ethics with Glen Nesse
  • Spring 2026: MWF, 11:30 AM – 12:55 PM
• ENGL 124: Environmental Literature with James Spaich
  • Spring 2026: MW, 1:00-3:00 PM

This event is open to the entire campus community. Dr. Gardiner is Professor of Philosophy and Ben Rabinowitz Endowed Professor of the Human Dimensions of the Environment at the University of Washington.

• Honors Lecture: Dr. Stephen Gardiner (UW) on Climate Justice
  Friday, May 29 from 4-5 p.m.
  Syre Student Center (SSC), 107/108

WCC is offering two honors seminars during Fall Quarter 2026. Students who are interested in completing the Honors Program are encouraged to register for both seminars. Students who completed one honors seminar during Spring 2026 can complete the Honors Program by taking a second seminar during Fall 2026. There is no limit to the number of honors seminars students can take.

• GEOL 100: Introduction to Earth Science with Kaatje Kraft
  • Fall 2026: Hybrid – Thursdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

• ENGL 201: Advanced Composition with Brian Cope
  • Fall 2026: Hybrid – Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Important: make sure to register for the correct section. Only one section of each course in the fall is offered as honors.

• There is no application required or minimum GPA to participate!
  • The Program is for all students seeking a collaborative, interdisciplinary, and solutions-oriented learning community.

• All students can register for Honors seminars even if they do not wish to complete the Honors Program.
  • Space is limited. Interested students should plan to register for these sections as early as possible.

• Honors seminars are themed versions of regular WCC courses.
  •  Most seminars will be 5 credits and students can satisfy degree requirements (e.g., Composition) while completing the Program.
    • Note: depending on the Honors courses offered, there may be prerequisites associated with a particular course. 

•  To complete the Honors Program, students are encouraged to register for both Spring 2026 Honors seminars. 

  • Completion of the Honors Program requires either completion of two Honors seminars OR completion of one Honors seminar and an Honors Learning Contract.
    • For students new to the Honors Program in 2026: if you are unable to take both Honors seminars during Spring 2026 (or Fall 2026), you should plan to take one seminar in Spring 2026. To complete the Program, students will either need to take a second seminar during Fall 2026 or complete an Honors Learning Contract. 
    • For students who started in the Honors Program during 2024-25: please contact Honors Program Coordinator Kirsten Egerstrom for more information.